Over 58 thousand vehicles manufactured at Giga Shanghai were sold by Tesla in the month of April.
In the dynamic world of electric vehicles (EVs), the landscape in China continues to evolve, with market pressures affecting various companies in the industry. This month, Tesla delivered 58,459 vehicles from its Giga Shanghai facility, a figure that represents a 25.8% drop compared to March, according to data tracked by CNEvPost.
However, the April results do not represent a significant departure from more typical delivery volumes compared to previous months. The strong March performance was partly driven by increased output of the new Model Y, which started deliveries in China ahead of schedule.
Amidst this decline in sales, Tesla is planning to introduce a lower-cost version of the Model Y in Shanghai, targeting a broader section of the market. Production is expected to begin in 2026. There are also rumors that Tesla will begin production this month of a three-row Model Y with a longer wheelbase at Giga Shanghai, which could potentially impact sales figures.
The decline in Tesla's sales in China highlights intensifying competition from local manufacturers and shifting dynamics in global EV demand. Domestic brands in China are introducing new models and offering competitive pricing to attract buyers, affecting not only Tesla but other international automakers as well.
Despite the challenges, Tesla's Shanghai facility serves as a major export hub, supplying vehicles to markets across Asia and Europe. The company's year-to-date total vehicles delivered in China for 2025 is 231,213, a 18.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2024 (283,043 units).
The planned production timeline for the three-row Model Y with a longer wheelbase (Model Y L) at Tesla's Giga Shanghai facility indicates that mass production started around early August 2025, with deliveries expected to begin in late 2025, likely in the third quarter or autumn (fall) of 2025. The Model Y L is a long-wheelbase, six-seat variant of the Model Y, featuring an extended wheelbase (+150 mm) and a total length near 4,976 mm, offering a three-row, 2-2-2 seating arrangement with captain’s chairs in the second row for improved comfort and accessibility.
Further details on Tesla's breakdown of local sales versus exports in April will be released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) in the next few days. The Model Y L uses an 82 kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplied by LG Energy Solution, has dual motors, and a Chinese CLTC range of around 751 km, highlighting its positioning as a competitive three-row SUV option at a lower price point than the Model X.
As Tesla prepares to launch the Model Y L in China, it remains to be seen how this new offering will impact the company's sales figures in the face of increasing competition and evolving market dynamics.
- In the evolving world of electric vehicles (EVs), China's industry landscape sees ongoing competition, as local manufacturers introduce new models and offer competitive pricing, affecting not just Tesla, but various automotive businesses as well.
- Aiming to counter these market pressures, Tesla is planning to produce a lower-cost version of the Model Y in Shanghai, set to begin production in 2026, and a three-row Model Y with a longer wheelbase this month, potentially influencing sale figures.
- Despite the current sales decline, Tesla's Shanghai facility continues to be a crucial business hub for Asia and European markets, supplying vehicles globally.
- With its new offering, the long-wheelbase, six-seat Model Y (Model Y L), Tesla seeks to establish a competitive position in the EV market, offering a more affordable three-row SUV option with a Chinese CLTC range of around 751 km, powered by an 82 kWh lithium-ion battery pack supplied by LG Energy Solution.
